Breakout sessions topics and what you'll hear about

View and download the full agenda - COMING SOON

As an alternative to participating in the NYS cannabis industry main stage panel discussions, we'll also be covering various topics at both the Entry Level [101] and Advanced [301] levels in our breakout room (Briarcliff) designed for cannabis business owners or those getting started in the industry, including:

  • Foundation 101: A primer on the entire cannabis industry in New York State
    • Taught by Joe Rossi of Park Strategies, a consulting, lobbying and regulatory affairs firm. [Entry level]
       
  • 30 days to deadline: Everything you need to know if applying for a license within the current application period, set to end on Dec. 18, 2023.
    • Taught by Joe Rossi of Park Strategies. [Advanced]
       
  • Insurance 101: A comprehensive rundown of what you need to know about insurance if planning to operate within the state’s cannabis ecosystem.
    • Taught by Wayne Margulies of HUB International, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers. [Entry level]
       
  • Insurance 301: An advanced course on insurance ins-and-outs for those already familiar with the industry who wish to learn more to keep their businesses and their futures safe. Taught by Wayne Margulies of HUB International. [Advanced]
     
  • Accounting 101: How do you model financial projections? Is it worth it for you to get into the cannabis industry in New York? What’s unique about this state and how can that affect your entry into the market?
    • Taught by Renata Serban, CPA and the Cannabis Advisory Services manager at Citrin Cooperman, will answer these questions and more. [Entry level]
       
  • Accounting 301: Getting into cost accounting for manufacturers, cultivators and retailers; 471C; major court cases related to taxes; how charitable work and expenses can relate to the Community Impact Plan. Expect a deep dive into next-level accounting topics relevant to your cannabis business.
    • Taught by Renata Serban of Citrin Cooperman. [Advanced]

Meet the breakout session speakers

Speakers are listed alphabetically by last name.

Full Name
Renata Serban
Job Title
Manager, Cannabis Advisory Services
Company
Citrin Cooperman
Speaker Bio
Renata Serban is a manager at Cannabis Advisory and Business Advisory Services with Citrin Cooperman. Renata is a CPA and CMA. She is also the Vice-Chair of the Cannabis Committee of the NYS Society of CPAs. Renata is one of the mentors for the Cannabis Compliance Training and Mentorship Program with NYS Office of Cannabis Management, and a member of the Small Business Committee of Institute of Management Accountants. Renata is one of the principal drafters of the comment letter to the Proposed Adult-Use Regulations in NYS and author of various accounting articles published in Trusted Professional, Strategic Finance magazine and NY Cannabis Insider. Renata is the winner of the 2023 Green Market Report Women’s in Cannabis Leadership Award the winner of NYSSPCA Emerging Leader Award. Her team is also the winner of 2023 NJ Cannabis Insider Award for the Excellence in Accounting and Consultancy and 2023 finalist for Emjays International Cannabis Awards. Renata is the 2023 nominee for AICPA’s Outstanding Young CPA Award. Renata has been featured multiple times as one of the most important Women in NY Cannabis to Know. Renata also is the mentor to middle schoolers as part of the Think Big for Kids project.
Renata Serban
Full Name
Wayne Margulies
Job Title
Cannabis & Hemp Insurance Specialist
Company
HUB International
Speaker Bio
Wayne Margulies - THE GUY - is a cannabis insurance specialist with HUB International’s sector leading cannabis specialty team. Wayne borrowed the title of “The Guy” from the popular HBO original series about a comedy that explores the private lives of unique New York individuals through a common thread: their weed deliveryman, only known as “The Guy”. Wayne’s path is very different from the tv show and spear heads HUB’s Northeast regions efforts in providing insurance and risk management solutions for cannabis Cultivators, Processors & Harvesters, Manufacturers, Wholesalers & Distributors, Transport, Retailers & Dispensaries, Laboratories, Landlords & Property Managers, Investors & Consultants, Medical & Legal Professionals, Hydroponics & Garden Stores, and more. As a member of HUB’s 300 member cannabis specialty team, they currently provide insurance solutions to over 900 cannabis organizations throughout North America, and beyond. All team members abide by and help to transfer the following 5 key risks away from you, the insured - Prepare for Product Liability Lawsuits, Avoid Transportation Troubles! Survive Property Damage! Protect against theft! Defend your Executives!
Wayne Margulies
Full Name
Joe Rossi
Job Title
Managing Director/Cannabis Practice Group Leader
Company
Park Strategies
Speaker Bio
Joe Rossi serves as a Managing Director of Park Strategies and the leader of their Cannabis Practice Group. Joe focuses on state and local government relations, business development, relationship management and strategic planning. Joe is known to be a zealous advocate for his clients with his unique perspective gained through experience working in organized labor, the public sector, and the private sector.

Mr. Rossi is based in Syracuse and Albany, providing a strong presence for Park Strategies in Central New York and the Capital District. Before joining Park Strategies, Mr. Rossi served as a Senior Business Advisor with Empire Advocates LLC, a subsidiary of Barclay Damon LLP. He also served as Assistant Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Prior to that, he served as Political Director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200 United. Joe has represented the Cannabis Association of New York since it was created.
Joe Rossi
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